hard brake pedle

Post by **katie** » 29 Dec 2006, 14:43

Hi all, I was driving to work when i suddenly found it har to push the brake pedle down. Having to drive back with my handbrake...which was still working! I've been told it could be the brake servo...but if it is i'm hard pushed to find somewhere that does a replacement part!...Please help....i need to get to work and earn money!!

Merry xmas..and a happy new year by the way! Katie.x

Post by **Ivorblueun** » 29 Dec 2006, 16:44

have you checked the vacuum hose to the servo is connected /not perished / leaking before you think about replacing the servo, your brakes should still work without the servo but you will have to really stomp on them. not really ideal but if you need to get your van from a to b better than just pulling the hand brake on. euro parts only stock for upto 1982 but might be worth a bell as would gsf and your local vw dealer

Post by **katie** » 29 Dec 2006, 16:58

Thanks for the advice Ivor, will get the man of the houe to check the hose, any tips for finding it easily?

Post by **Ivorblueun** » 29 Dec 2006, 17:15

one end is connected to the inlet manifold in the engine bay or if diesel has a dedicated pump on engine block next to the oil cooler/ oil filter manifold tother end to the servo behind the dash above the pedals. it runs pretty much the length of the van and its not all one piece and there is a check valve on the petrol if you look up the diag on here http://www.vagcat.com/ it might give you a better idea as to whats what

Post by **shergy** » 19 Jan 2007, 21:13

Hi there,

Did you get your brake problem sorted? My did exactly the same on the way home from work, freakily about the same date Im still stuck getting lifts in to work. Need to get it sussed!

Any help/advice greatfully recieved.

Cheers
Simon

Post by **speleobod** » 21 Jan 2007, 21:37

If your brakes are hard and engine running like cold porridge then your 'T 'piece may be disconnected or sucking flat. Lift engine lid and forward to the left is the vacuum pipe from front of vehicle. coming through engine bulkhead. This should connect to rubber 'T' piece. If it is connected try squeezing the middle of the 'T' if its very soft or you can see it collapsing slightly when engine running then replace quite cheaply.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 21 Jan 2007, 22:07

Yeah, if its a 2.0l Aircooled then look at the left hand carb, out of the manifold below it is a rubber t-piece, they go soft in time and collapse, so your engine will probably run okay but it won't deliver vacuum to the servo hence kak brakes.

If it's a 1.9-2.1 then check the servo pipe from the left hand side of the inlet manifold, they are renown to split/leak but this will also resort in a higher than normal idle speed if it runs at all.

If it's a Diesel then the vacuum pump could have failed.

Post by **shergy** » 22 Jan 2007, 13:06

SPOT ON GUYS, cheers, have bodged up the old one and loads better, acutally ticking over better now too.

does anyone know where I can get one?

Tried VW, discontinued for 5 years aparently!!

Cheers all for help, it seems crazy that that little bit can make so much difference!!

Shergy

Post by **shergy** » 22 Jan 2007, 13:07

PS. It the t piece on a 2.0l AC to clarify

Post by **speleobod** » 25 Jan 2007, 20:35

Some one must have them as I renewed both of mine the T piece and the straight one on the left.

If simon baxter, syncrospares, jk etc cant help try this guy, he got mine for me

Hans Timm. Felhope Motors. VW Audi specialist. Cradely Heath W.Mids. tel 01384567061. he may put you on to a supplier.